Objective evaluation of tooth carving using homologous models

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Biomaterials Science
• Morphological Analysis

Background:

• Subjective evaluations of tooth carvings lack reliability for effective student feedback.
• Improving the fabrication of dental prosthetics requires objective assessment methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the relationship between subjective evaluations and morphological characteristics of tooth carvings.
• To develop an objective feedback method for dental students' tooth carving skills.

Main Methods:

• 120 maxillary left first molar carvings were evaluated subjectively and scanned for 3D data.
• Principal component analysis (PCA) was used on homologous models to assess morphological characteristics.
• Carvings were divided into high- and low-scoring groups for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• PCA confirmed the feasibility of objective evaluation using homologous models.
• Increased subjective scores correlated with steeper occlusal inclination and cervical regions, and a parallelogram-shaped occlusal surface.
• Low-scoring carvings exhibited significant morphological variations in cervical region position, height of contour, and occlusal surface shape.

Conclusions:

• Objective evaluation of tooth carvings is achievable with homologous models.
• Morphological characteristic analysis provides effective feedback for undergraduate dental students.